Richa Chadha-Neil Nitin Mukesh's 'romance'...a PR Stunt

If the feisty Richa Chadha and Neil Nitin Mukesh are seeing each other then they aren’t aware of it. Expressing surprise at the loose talk about their involvement that’s been given credence in a section of the media Richa said, “I don’t know where this (alleged involvement with Neil) is coming from. I have shot a film with Neil. We got along well. But then I get along well with all my co-stars. That’s it. I haven’t even met him in ages. So I am a bit baffled and embarrassed by these rumours.” A bit of investigation reveals that the pair is doing a rom-com called Ishqeria. And the romance report, in the words of a member of the film’s team is “a PR strategy” to pump up interest in the film. Says the source, “Neil has suffered a string of flops lately. This is their way of generating interest in this project.” Neil more or less confirms this when he says, “What to say? In my next film they’ll link me with my leading lady again. And then the one after that also. So it’s better for me to keep quiet. People need better marketing strategies to promote their film.” Linking the lead pair in a romantic film before its release is an old strategy. It started with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in Bobby. Later couples who barely exchanged a few words off camera like Kumar-Gaurav-Vijeta Pundit in Love Story, Kamal Haasan-Rati Agnihotri in Ek Duuje Ke Liye and Salman Khan-Bhagyashree in Maine Pyar Kiya and Rahul Roy-Anu Aggarwal in Aashiqui were linked just before release when in fact they had nothing to do with one another. So Richa and Neil are in august company.